Professional and progressive - Society of Radiographers

Audrey Paterson
Director of Professional Policy
The drive for
professional and
educational progress
never stops
ith the election of a new
government in the Spring of
2010 and the announcement
from the secretary of state
for health, Andrew Lansley, to
introduce the purchasing of
healthcare services by general
practitioners, the pace of change in the National Health Service
continues and reform fervour abounds.
It is against this backdrop that the professional and education
team at the Society and College continue to work to raise
standards in the profession and to ensure that members get the
support they need and deserve.
Recognition for radiotherapy
There has been a perception amongst therapeutic radiographers
that radiotherapy is sometimes second best in the eyes of the
public and some clinicians when compared with other treatments
for cancer. This view was underlined when the results of a poll
showed that a significant number of people saw radiotherapy
as being old fashioned and were not aware of the enormous
benefits that modern radiotherapy can bring to patients.
The Society has joined forces with a number of other
organisations, including the National Cancer Action Team in
England, The Royal College of Radiologists, the Institute of
Physics and Engineering in Medicine and Cancer Research UK to
combat this perception. 2011 has been declared the The Year of
Radiotherapy and a number of events are planned including the
launch of a year of action at the Society’s annual radiotherapy
conference in January 2011.
The plan is to work with journalists to dispel radiotherapy
myths, address common misconceptions and fears and ensure
the benefits of modern radiotherapy are more widely recognised.
In addition, there will be many other awareness initiatives taking
place throughout the year.
During 2010, another key event was the Society’s response to
the refreshment of the government’s Cancer Reform Strategy,
following a wide consultation with members. We also put
forward views on the elements of the Health White Paper that
cover commissioning and outcomes, and will be responding to
consultations on workforce development and the creation of
Public Health England.
In other radiotherapy news, the Society and College has
actively participated in the work of the National Radiotherapy
Implementation Group and taken part in a numerous national
working groups, as well as planning and presenting workshops
on workforce issues. This is illustrated in the lead we took
on the development and circulation of a UK-wide survey on
implementation of career progression framework within cancer
centres due to be published in the Spring of 2011.
Effective communication and networking with radiotherapy
services, members, managers and clinical experts continued with
the Radiotherapy Advisory Group, and the Society was pleased to
continue to be involved in the Radiotherapy Services Managers
meetings. Liaison with the European Society for Therapeutic
Radiology and Oncology in relation to the organisation of the
conference due to take place in London in 2011 is another
important activity, as is membership of the recently formed Health
Protection Agency’s Patient Safety in Radiotherapy group.
Work with other organisations has included providing advice
and feedback on the joint radiotherapy planning guidance
document, and the development of the pilot dosimetrists
education programme arising from the Modernising Scientific
Careers programme.
This work all go towards influencing national policy to ensure
therapeutic radiography professional interests are recognised and
incorporated into future policy.
Nurturing the future of the profession
To ensure that the Society represents as many student
radiographers as possible, presentations to first, continuing and
final year students were updated to ensure they remain relevant
and leave participants in no doubt as to the importance of Society
membership.
Following the results of a survey of students that revealed that
up to a third believed that they had been bullied whilst on clinical
placement, a number of initiatives were put in place to combat
the problem and raise awareness of the concerns the responding
students had raised. An anti-bullying campaign, which includes
advice on bullying and grievance procedures, was started.
A practice placement forum was developed to enhance the
experience of clinical placements, and an admissions tutor forum
was created to support potential radiography students and to
assist in minimising the number of students who do not complete
their studies. There has been a welcome drop in the numbers of
students leaving courses prematurely, but there is no room for
18 ANNUAL REPORT 2010/11